[Xmca-l] Re: Time, Imagination, Metaphor

[Greg Thompson]

terms, terms, terms.
Ontological.
Just wanted to mention that there are different understandings of this term
"ontological". The classic understanding of "ontological" is that it refers
to the "real" nature of things in time and space.

But there is a new understanding of "ontological" that has come up in the
social sciences in the past 20 years or so that takes seriously the
possibility of "plural ontologies" - i.e. that there may be different
"reals" constituted by people in different times and places - all of them
"real" (if perhaps "real" in different ways). The hope of this literature
is to get beyond subjective/objective dualism that is implied in the
classical formulation of "ontological".

I feel that these are important considerations to keep in mind so that we
don't talk too much past each other. I think that it is also important to
keep these in mind so that we can appreciate how the concerns of XMCA folks
might intersect with current conversations in social theory.

-greg

On Sat, Dec 20, 2014 at 4:08 AM, larry smolucha <lsmolucha@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>
> Message from Francine:
>
> Metaphysics is an old term for philosophy. Metaphysics includes the study
> of ontology,
> cosmology and epistemology.  Our discussions have been epistemological,
> specifically
> how  different cultures understand time and space. We have not gotten into
> an
> ontological discussion (yet) about the 'real' nature of time and space.
>
> Some people use the term metaphysics to refer to a type of spiritual
> metaphysics.
> The practice of mind over matter. In my previous post, I used the examples
> of walking into
> a wall or in front of a car, in denial of their existence. The
> probabilities are not in your
> favor. But I did run out in front of a speeding car once, to snatch up my
> toddler, and
> 'miraculously' the driver was able to stop and did not hit me (as I held
> my son in my arms
> protecting his head expecting we would be thrown to the ground).
> Similarly, in
> Dancing with Wolves, when Kevin Costner rides back and forth past the
> Confederate lines
> who are shooting at him - he is defying the odds. Physics has become a
> probabilistic science that does not rule out the possibility that if you
> drop a glass of water it might fall upward,
> but the probabilities of that happening are astronomical.
>
>
> > From: annalisa@unm.edu
> > To: xmca-l@mailman.ucsd.edu
> > Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 05:06:48 +0000
> > Subject: [Xmca-l] Re: Time, Imagination, Metaphor
> >
> > Hello Francine (and Larry),
> >
> > Yes! Let's not forget perception and imagination!
> >
> > And let me second subjective perspectives and bibliographic references!
> >
> > [If anyone has any to add to the ABC that come to mind, please forward
> them to me!  TQ]
> >
> > I fully enjoy the noodle into pasta example. Are you saying that time is
> metaphysical? Would space be metaphysical too?
> >
> > Robert brought up a perfect example of the Hopi's view of time and the
> Guugu Yimithirr of Australia and their method of employing cardinal
> directions to orient themselves in space.
> > http://xmca.ucsd.edu/yarns/15874?keywords=#52113
> >
> > That example also reminded me of the Greek Poet Simonides of Ceos and
> the Memory Palace... see the Extreme Memory Tournament
> >
> http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/remembering-as-an-extreme-sport/
> > and the book that tells you how to remember everything:
> >
> http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E3DF1E3FF93BA35750C0A9679D8B63
> >
> > Also Francine, when you say:
> > > The 'Natural' Science that arises from European culture begins as
> mechanical physics and alchemy in which machines have parts and chemicals
> have elements. It has evolved into the study of energy, and systems theory.
> >
> > I wanted to say, don't forget to include astrology with alchemy and
> mechanical physics!  :) (Which is an ancient systems theory) and then
> becomes astronomy, and this has certainly altered our sense of both time
> and space by light years!  :)
> >
> > Kind regards,
> >
> > Annalisa
> >
>
>


-- 
Gregory A. Thompson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Anthropology
880 Spencer W. Kimball Tower
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
http://byu.academia.edu/GregoryThompson